Attractions
Blaine Kern's Mardi Gras World
In Algiers Point, on the west bank of the Mississippi River, stands a unique studio museum showcasing the famous New Orleans' Mardi Gras. The museum is actually the working studio of foremost carnival float designer, Blaine Kern, for whom producing floats and props for the city's annual Mardi Gras is a full-time job. Visitors can watch Kern and his team design and construct the giant sculptures of everything from cartoon characters to mythological figures and animals that will eventually parade through the streets.
Address: Newton Street, Algiers Point
Telephone: (800) 362 8213
Website:www.mardigrasworld.com
Transport: Catch the free ferry at the foot of Canal St. to historic Algiers Point. A free Blaine Kern shuttle meets every ferry from 9.30am. to 4.30pm.
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The Cabildo
The entertaining and informative Cabildo on Jackson Square in New Orleans' French Quarter explores the history of Louisiana from the first European explorations to the post-Civil War Reconstruction era from a multi-cultural perspective. The museum is the flagship of the Louisiana State Museum facilities and is housed in an historic building, dating to 1799, originally serving as the Spanish city council offices. Two major historic events took place in the Cabildo building: the Louisiana Purchase Transfer ceremonies in 1803 and later a landmark Supreme Court decision was handed down here that legalised racial segregation. The Cabildo takes pride that it has been visited by five American presidents.
Address: 701 Chartres Street
Telephone: +1 (504) 568 6968
Opening time: Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 4pm.
Admission: $6 (£3)
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National D-Day Museum
The unique National D-Day Museum was founded in 2000 by historian and author Dr Stephen Ambrose and has become regarded as a highlight of any New Orleans sightseeing tour. Situated in New Orleans' Warehouse District it depicts the June 6, 1944 invasion of Normandy, the Home Front during World War II, and the D-Day Invasions in the Pacific. Exhibit galleries include text panels, artifacts, and personal account stations where visitors can listen to the stories of war veterans. A panorama exhibit recreates a Normandy beach landing; there are also regular film shows.
Address: 945 Magazine Street, New Orleans. Entrance in Andrew Higgins' Drive
Telephone: +1 (504) 527 6012
E-mail:info@ddaymuseum.org
Website:www.ddaymuseum.org
Opening time: Daily 9am to 5pm
Admission: Adults $14 (£7); Students $8 (£4); children $6 (£3), free for under fives
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Audubon Aquarium of the Americas
New Orleans' state-of-the-art Audubon Aquarium, situated on the banks of the Mississippi River, is regarded as the best in America with highly entertaining exhibits. Underwater tunnels allow visitors to marvel at a Caribbean Reef and a re-creation of the Gulf of Mexico, complete with sharks. There is also a walk-through Amazon rainforest and an exhibit displaying the inside story of swamp life. The Aquarium features every type of aquatic creature from jellyfish and sea horses to sea otters and penguins. The Aquarium's 'sister' attraction, also run by the Audubon Institute, is the excellent New Orleans city zoo, situated in Audubon Park further uptown.
Address: Canal Street
Telephone: +1 (504) 565 3033
E-mail:rbuchsbaum@auduboninstitute.org
Website:www.auduboninstitute.org
Opening time: Aquarium: Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 5pm; Zoo: daily 10am to 4pm (until 5pm on weekends).
Admission: Aquarium: $16 (£8) (adults), $9.50 (£4.50) (children 2-12). Zoo: $12 (£6) (adults), $7 (£3.50) (children)
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French Quarter
Regarded as the heart and soul of New Orleans, the French Quarter is the historic part of town covering about 90 square blocks radiating out from Chartres Street and Jackson Square. The Quarter, or Vieux Carre, was established in 1718 as a French military outpost, which was later taken over by the Spanish, merging into a freewheeling culture incorporating slaves, pirates, mercenaries, call-girls and various freemen of every color and creed. Today the area looks and feels much as it did before Hurricane Katrina, with its wrought-iron railings and tall doorways, and clubs, bars, Cajun-seafood restaurants and shops all a-buzz. By day it is one of the best people-watching spots in the world, and the focus for visitors to New Orleans. By night the area becomes a giant street party throbbing with jazz music and a world-class dining district. The most famous street is Bourbon Street, where prostitutes literally mingle with priests, and bars stay open all night.
Website:www.frenchquarter.com
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‘Hurricane Katrina: America's Worst Catastrophe!' Tour
In the wake of one of the worst hurricanes to ever hit the United States, Gray Line Tours offers a three-hour bus ride around some of the hardest hit areas in New Orleans, including Lakeview and Gentilly, and is aimed at gathering support to rebuild the city. To respect the privacy of the locals, buses will not allow tourists off the bus to take pictures, but will pass around pictures of the storm and its destruction, and guides will describe the events before and after the storm hit the city, as well as explaining the significance of the levee system.
Telephone: +1 (504) 569 1401, or (800) 535 7786
E-mail:tours@graylineneworleans.com
Website:tours@graylineneworleans.com
Opening time: Tours depart Wednesday to Sunday at 9am and 1pm (18 January to 27 February), 9am only on 18, 19, 25, 26 February 2006), daily at 1pm from March to June.
Admission: $35 (£17) (adults), $28 (£14) (children)
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Preservation Hall
Historic Preservation Hall is New Orleans' most popular jazz venue, where the famed Preservation Hall Jazz Band serves up first-rate music six nights a week in the French Quarter building (originally built as a residence in 1750). On Sundays the Olympia Brass Band performs instead. No seating, food or drinks are available, but crowds flock here simply for the music between 8pm and midnight.
Address: 726 St Peter Street
Telephone: +1 (504) 522 2841
Website:www.preservationhall.com
Opening time: Nightly from 8pm until midnight. Sets begin at 8.30pm.
Admission: $8 (£4)
